Barricade

ABSTRACT

A demountable barricade comprising an elongated crosspiece having openings adapted to receive a supporting leg assembly which includes a connecting portion adapted for insertion in said openings and at least two channels straddling said connecting portion and adapted to receive supporting legs for the barricade.

Unlted States Patent 1 1 3,583,676

Kiyoshi Ylmlk [56] References Cited $322" UNITED STATES PATENTS 18 969302,945 8/1884 Sargent 182/l8l Patented June 8,1971 617,463 1/1899Dotts........... 182/225 Sens, Adobe" K090 x-busmkixalm 802,834 10/1905Upthegrove. 182/185 Osakwshi Japan 1,553,045 9/1925 J0nes...........182/225 Apr. 25 2,793,003 5/1957 Borchers 256/64 Japan 3,035,660 5/1962Leon 182/181 43/34157 Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor AttorneyWard,McElhannon, Brooks & Fitzpatrick BARRICADE [72] Inventor [21 1 Appl. No.[22] Filed [73] Assignee [32] Priority ABSTRACT: A demountable barricadecomprising an elongated crosspiece having openings adapted to receive asupporting leg assembly which includes a connecting portion adapted forinsertion in said openings and at least two channels straddhng saldconnectmg portion and adapted to receive supporting legs for thebarricade.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int. [50] Field of l82/l8l, 182, 183, 185, 224, 225, 226, 227

BARRICADE This invention relates to a barricade or similar device suchas is used to mark boundaries of particular areas, for example to markoff prohibited areas and construction sites. The barricade of theinvention is characterized by its ability to be readily assembled anddisassembled.

Conventional barricades, as heretofore used, generally comprise a targetor crosspiece member and a supporting leg assembly or the like. Ingeneral, such barricades are made as an integral unit which cannot bereadily disassembled. Conventional barricades therefore are inconvenientto carry and take a considerable amount of space in storage. Thesecharacteristics have been the principal defects in such barricades.Also, because of the integral nature of conventional barricades, theyare difficult to repair, since broken parts cannot be readily replaced.

The barricades of the present invention are designed to be readilyassembled and disassembled and are composed of interchangeable,standardized components which are readily replaced when necessary.

The barricade of this invention is a freestanding, demountable barricadecomprising an elongated, preferably flat, target or crosspiece memberand support means therefor; said crosspiece member having spacedopenings at opposite ends thereof; said support means having aconnecting portion adapted for insertion in the openings in saidcrosspiece member, and having at least two channels defined thereinbracketing said connecting portion, and adapted to receive supportinglegs for said barricade. Preferably, the channels in said support meansare relatively closely spaced and substantially parallel.

Specific embodiments of the device of this invention are shown in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the disassembled parts of thebarricade of FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a section view taken through the plane III-Ill of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of disassembled parts of another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, respectively, illustrate other embodiments of supportmeans of the invention, FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 6 being section views throughthe plane V-V' of FIG. 5(a).

In each of the figures of the drawings, 1 represents a target orcrosspiece, 2 represents the support means, 3 represents a supportingleg, d represents a leg connector and 5 represents a leg connecting rod.

Crosspiece 1 is provided with a plurality of openings spaced from eachother and located at opposite ends of said crosspiece. In FIGS. 1 and 2,these openings take the form of slits cut into the lower portion ofcrosspiece )1, whereas in FIG. 4 said openings are in the form ofapertures cut into crosspiece 1. In both cases, the opening is made justsufficiently large to allow insertion of support means 2.

Crosspiece l is typically made of sheet metal, wood or plastic. It canconveniently be prepared by calendering a thermoplastic resin into aflat sheet and cutting it to the proper shape and size. Alternately,thermoplastic resin can be extruded in tubular form and then collapsedto form a flat continuous shape with the opposing walls of said tubebeing collapsed together. Where such a structure is employed, it ispreferred that the collapsed walls be made to adhere together partiallyor completely to provide an integral crosspiece. It is desirable thatthe crosspiece be provided with a pattern of contrasting colors in theform of stripes or the like, so that it may be easily seen. Similarly,signs or other informative markings can be placed on said crosspiece.

Support means 2 will comprise at least two channels, preferably oftubular cross section. Support means 2 contains portions 22 defining atleast two channels 23, preferably of circular cross section andbracketing connecting portion 21 which is adapted to occupy opening 11in crosspiece 1.

Preferably, portions 22 of support means 2 will be closely spaced andchannels 23 will be substantially parallel to each other. Connectingportion 21 will have a thickness t which is substantially equal to thewidth of opening 11. Connecting portion 21 will also have a width 1which is substantially equal to the thickness of crosspiece 1. Thus,connecting portion 21, when inserted in opening 11 will substantiallyoccupy said opening and will provide relatively rigid and stableconnection between crosspiece l and support means 2. Channels 23 insupport means 2 are adapted to receive legs 3, as by insertion thereofin channels 23. Channels 23 will have a diameter which is substantiallyequal to the outer diameter of legs 3 and a cross section which conformsto the cross section of legs 3. The respective connecting parts ofcrosspiece 1, support means 2, and legs 3 will be dimensioned so thatthe entire structure is free from excessive play when fully assembled.

In FIG. 2, the thickness of connecting portion 21 is smaller than thediameter of portions 22. As an alternative embodiment of the inventionillustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5(a), the thickness t of connectingportion 21 can be equal to or greater than that of portions 22 ofsupport means 2. In such embodiments of the invention, support means 2can be inserted into openings 11 by compression in the direction ofthickness t, the subsequent expansion of connecting portion 21 servingto retain support means 2 in opening 11. If desired, ridges such as 24can be formed in support means 2 to properly locate connecting portions21 in openings 11.

In such embodiments of the invention it is preferred that the thicknesst be relatively small. Alternatively, support means 2 may have adumbbell cross section as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates a hollowconstruction of support means 2, wherein the sidewalls of connectingportion 21 can be compressed to reduce temporarily the thickness I. Asshown in FIG. 4, the upper end of channels 23 is enclosed by surface 25to prevent legs 3 from being inserted too deeply in support means 2. Aspreviously stated, it is desirable that the dimensions I and t ofconnecting portion 21 be sufficiently large with respect to thedimensions of opening 11 and that a relatively tight press fit isobtained, so that a relatively rigid connection is achieved. In thisregard, it is desirable to fabricate support means 2 from a relativelyflexible plastic, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamideresin, synthetic rubber or the like, and to make connecting portion 21somewhat oversized so that it will be held in place by expansion.Similarly, when crosspiece l is made of flattened thermoplastic tubing,the expansion thereof against portions 22 operates to hold support means2 in place.

The leg assembly of the barricade of this. invention, as shown in FIGS.l-4, comprises a plurality of legs 3, leg connectors t and legconnecting rod 5. The leg assembly can be an integral unit, butpreferably it is made to be easily assembled and disassembled. Leg 3 isadapted for insertion into channel 23 of support means 2 and willpreferably be somewhat oversized with respect to channels 23 to providea secure connection therewith, particularly when portions 22 of supportmeans 2 are made of a relatively elastic material.

Leg 3 will preferably be circular in cross section and can be made ofrod or tubing of a standard diameter. Preferably, it will be made ofpolyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or similar material. The portion ofleg 3 adapted for insertion in channels 23 may have a reduced diameteras shown in FIG. 2. However, it is generally more convenient if leg 3 isso made that either end can be inserted into channel 23, as shown inFIG. 4. This permits more convenient assembly of the barricade and alsoallows leg 3 to be inserted as desired to equalize wear and strain. Leg3 will preferably have a curved or angled shape, as shown in thedrawings.

Leg connector 4 is provided with receptacles 41 and 42 adapted toreceive legs 3 and leg connecting rod 5, respectively. Receptacles 41and 42 are preferably closely spaced in leg connector 4. Leg connector 4is preferably made of a relatively flexible material, including plastic,such as polyethylene, plasticized polyvinyl chloride, polyamide resin,or synthetic rubber fabricated into an integral piece of the desiredshape.

Receptacle 41 will be adapted to receive leg 3 and will have an insidediameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of leg 2.Receptacle 42 is adaptable to receive leg connecting rod and will havean inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of legconnector 5. Leg connector 4 is slipped over leg 3 and adjusted to thedesired position, as shown in FIG. 1. lf desired, a locating device,such as a ridge or the like can be provided on leg 3 in order to locatethe proper position for leg connector 4.

Leg connecting rod 5 is a relatively rigid, resilient, elongated member,preferably having a stiffening core of steel or other rigid material andcovered by any suitable covering, such as plastic. Altemately, legconnecting rod 5 may be a rod of glass fiber-reinforced unsaturatedpolyester resin. it is desired that leg connecting rod 5 will berelatively stiff so that substantial force will be required to bend it.Leg connecting rod 5 is connected to leg 3 by insertion into receptacle42 of leg connector 4.

The barricade of the invention is conveniently assembled by insertingconnecting portion 21 of support means 2 into opening ll of crosspiecel; inserting one end of leg 3 into channel 23 of support means 2 and theopposite end of leg 3 into receptacle 41 of leg connector 4; andthereafter inserting leg connecting rod 5, in a flexed state, intoreceptacles 42 of leg connectors 4.

The assembled barricade is quite rigid and resists collapsing since thecomponent parts are firmly held together as heretofore explained.Connecting portion 21 of support means 2 substantially occupies opening11 of crosspiece l and provides a firm connection between thesecomponents. Similarly, leg 3 provides a firm connection through channel23 of support means 2. Legs 3 are confined in close and substantiallyparallel relationship to each other on opposite sides of crosspiece l bymeans of channels 23. The lower ends of legs 3 are yieldably urged apartby leg connecting rod 5. Thus, the upper end of legs 3 are urgedagainstthe inside of channels 23 are firmly fixed therein. By the samemeans leg connector 4 is outwardly urged against the lower portion oflegs 3. Thus the barricade is designed to resist collapsing and toprovide a high degreeof stability.

In order to disassemble the barricade the above procedure is reversed.Leg connecting rod 5 is removed from receptacle d2; leg connector 41 isremoved from leg 3; leg 3 is withdrawn from channel 23 of support means2; support means 2 is removed from opening 11 of crosspiece 1. In thismanner the barricade is easily and quickly disassembled. ln disassembledform the barricade occupies little space and is convenient to store. Ifany of the component parts is damaged, the barricade is readily repairedby replacing only the damaged part. if plastics are used in thefabrication of the barricade, it will be light in weight and resistantto corrosion so that it can be used for a prolonged period.

If desired; leg 3 can be made of hollow construction, and can be filled,either totally or partially with a flowable ballast material, such assand or the like. When the barricade is assembled, the sand falls to thelower portion of leg 3, thus increasing the weight of the lower portionof the leg and improving its stability. Legs 3 can be provided withenclosures to retain said sand, or, if desired, legs 3 can be of opentubular I construction and leg connector 4 can be provided with a baseportion closing the bottom of receptacle 41 to retain the sand in leg 3.

What I claim is:

1. A free-standing, demountable barricade comprising an elongatedcrosspiece member and at least two support means therefor; saidcrosspiece member having spaced openings at opposite ends thereof; saidsupport means having a connecting portion adapted for insertion in theopenings in said crosspiecemember and also having at least two channelsbracketing said connecting portion for supporting legs for saidbarricade; at least two pairs of elongated supporting legs, specularlyopposite with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through saidcrosspiece member, the upperportion of which are removably con med inthe channels 0 said support means;

and spreading means for yieldably urging apart the lower portions ofsaid supporting legs and thereby firmly fixing the upper portions ofsaid supporting legs to said support means through a compressiongenerated, in the channels of said support means, by a rotationalcoupling force caused by said spreading means.

2. The barricade of claim 1 wherein the spreading means comprises anelongated connecting rod which is flexed and resilient and is connectedto said leg members by connectors which are removably affixed to saidleg members and to said flexed, resilient, connecting rod.

3. The barricade of claim 2 wherein said support means is made from aflexible plastic.

4. The barricade of claim 3 wherein said supporting legs are made ofhollow construction in which flowable ballast material is enclosed, sothat when the barricade is assembled, the flowable ballast materialfalls to the lower portion of said legs and improves the stability ofthe barricade.

5. The barricade of claim 4 wherein the width of said opening of saidelongated crosspiece member is substantially equal to the thickness ofthe connecting portion of said support means; wherein the thickness ofsaid opening of said elongated crosspiece member is substantially equalto the width of said connecting portion; and wherein the outer dimensionof the channel of said support means is substantially equal to an outerdimension of the upper end of said supporting legs.

1. A free-standing, demountable barricade comprising an elongatedcrosspiece member and at least two support means therefor; saidcrosspiece member having spaced openings at opposite ends thereof; saidsupport means having a connecting portion adapted for insertion in theopenings in said crosspiece member and also having at least two channelsbracketing said connecting portion for supporting legs for saidbarricade; at least two pairs of elongated supporting legs, specularlyopposite with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through saidcrosspiece member, the upper portion of which are removably confined inthe channels of said support means; and spreading means for yieldablyurging apart the lower portions of said supporting legs and therebyfirmly fixing the upper portions of said supporting legs to said supportmeans through a compression generated, in the channels of said supportmeans, by a rotational coupling force caused by said spreading means. 2.The barricade of claim 1 wherein the spreading means comprises anelongated connecting rod which is flexed and resilient and is connectedto said leg members by connectors which are removably affixed to saidleg members and to said flexed, resilient, connecting rod.
 3. Thebarricade of claim 2 wherein said support means is made from a flexibleplastic.
 4. The barricade of claim 3 wherein said supporting legs aremade of hollow construction in which flowable ballast material isenclosed, so that when the barricade is assembled, the flowable ballastmaterial falls to the lower portion of said legs and improves thestability of the barricade.
 5. The barricade of claim 4 wherein thewidth of said opening of said elongated crosspiece member issubstantially equal to the thickness of the connecting portion of saidsupport means; wherein the thickness of said opening of said elongatedcrosspiece member is substantially equal to the width of said connectingportion; and wherein the outer dimension of the channel of said supportmeans is substantially equal to an outer dimension of the upper end ofsaid supporting legs.